Packaging sheath with contents

Abstract

Disclosed is an article of manufacture, comprising a hollow rod comprised of a longitudinally gathered tube of cellulose hydrate-based material, the hollow rod having a latent water content of between about 25% and 100% by weight based upon the total weight of the hollow rod and being free of chemical anti-bacteriocidal agent; a closed, substantially gas impermeable packaging sheath having a hollow interior chamber therein, with the hollow rod being positioned in the hollow interior chamber, whereby the hollow rod is completely enveloped by the packaging sheath, wherein the packaging sheath is comprised of a flexible film of material which is substantially impermeable to gases; and a protective gas essentially filling the remaining portion of the hollow interior chamber, with the gas protecting the hollow rod against the formation of aerobic microorganisms on the water-containing cellulose hydrate-based material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An article of manufacture, comprising: a hollow rod comprised of a longitudinally gathered tube of cellulose hydrate-based material, said hollow rod having a latent water content of between about 25% and 100% by weight based upon the total weight of the hollow rod and being free of chemical anti-bacteriocidal agents; a closed, substantially gas impermeable packaging sheath having a hollow interior chamber therein, said hollow rod being positioned in said hollow interior chamber, whereby the hollow rod is completely enveloped by said packaging sheath, said packaging sheath being comprised of a flexible film of material which is substantially impermeable to gases; and   a protective gas essentially filling the remaining portion of said hollow interior chamber, said gas protecting said hollow rod against the formation of aerobic microorganisms on said water-containing cellulose hydrate-based material of said hollow rod.   
     
     
       2. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said hollow rod has a latent water content of from about 30% to 50% by weight based upon the total weight of the hollow rod. 
     
     
       3. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said hollow rod has a latent water content of about 35% by weight based upon the total weight of the hollow rod. 
     
     
       4. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said protective gas comprises carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen containing at least 20% by volume of carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       5. An article as defined by claim 4, wherein said protective gas comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       6. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said packaging sheath tightly envelopes said hollow rod so that the packaging sheath imparts form-stability to said hollow rod. 
     
     
       7. An article as defined by claim 1, further comprising a second one of said hollow rods positioned in said hollow interior chamber. 
     
     
       8. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said flexible film of material forming said packaging sheath has the following characteristics: Permeability for nitrogen: <20 cm 3  /m 2  0.24 h.bar; measured at 20° C. and 43% relative humidity (according to DIN 53 380)   oxygen: <20 cm 3  /m 2  0.24 h.bar; measured at 20° C. and 43% relative humidity (according to DIN 53 380)   carbon dioxide: <60 cm 3  /m 2  0.24 h.bar; measured at 20° C. and 43% relative humidity (according to DIN 53 380)   water vapor: Maximum 1 g/m 2  /24 h; measured at 20° C. and 85% relative humidity (according to DIN 53 122)   
     
     
       9. An article as defined by claim 8, wherein said flexible film of material forming said packaging sheath comprises: (a) a two-layered laminate comprised of a first layer of a polyamide and a second layer of polyethylene, or   (b) a three-layer laminate comprised of a first outer layer comprised of a biaxially-stretch oriented polyester, a second outer layer comprised of polyethylene and an intermediate layer comprised of (1) a polyvinylidenechloride copolymer and (2) aluminum foil.   
     
     
       10. An article as defined by claim 9, wherein said flexible film of material forming said packaging sheath comprises a two layer laminate having a first layer comprised of polyamide-6 having a thickness of about 40 μm and a second layer comprised of low density polyethylene having a thickness of about 90 μm. 
     
     
       11. An article as defined by claim 1, wherein said gathered tube comprises a fiber-reinforced tube of cellulose hydrate-base material.